Month: February 2018

A big day’s racing on Sunday at both Seoul and Busan. Seoul has 11 races from 10:45 to 18:00 while at Busan there are 6 contests from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews:

Seoul Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(8) HAPPY MAUNTAIN ran 2nd on debut four weeks ago and while he was beaten a long way by a very handy winner, he showed enough to suggest he knows what he’s doing and he’s the pick to see off this field which is comprised six debut-makers and six who have just run once each. (9) HANSEN VOLT and (10) DONGBANG JIJU both also hinted at some kind of ability on their respective debuts and while neither were fast, they can improve here. Among the first-time starters, (12) FRENCH STAR looked the most convincing in trials. As ever with the debut-makers, watch the market.

Fillies only here and (8) MORAN DONGBEAK finished well to pick off three of her rivals here when running 4th over 1000M on January 27th. She gets an overdue bump up in trip here for the first time and it could well pay dividends. (2) CHOM NIA has raced at this distance before and while it didn’t go especially well, a decent 2nd back at 1000M last month when she ran on well through the line suggests she may go better this time. (10) BANGGEUT BANGGEUT too ran on nicely on debut at the minimum distance before running out of track and could also appreciate the extended trip today. (12) IRYEO HAYEO has run over 1300M before and did well at it. She came 3rd on January 21st in a very similar contest to this and should be looking to at least repeat. (7) MAGGIEUI CHUEOG is another to consider.

Tricky contest this. (4) JEJUI BARAM was an all-the-way winner in an all-filly race on debut at the distance on January 6th. She is up in class here but the competition is not especially intimidating and she could well win again. (10) THE QUEEN GRACE was such an eye-catching winner on her own debut last September that she was entered in a big juvenile race the following month. It didn’t go well as while she was prominent early, she faded to beat only one home in the Gwacheon Mayor’s Cup. She returned though to run 2nd on her season debut a month ago, back at 1000M and she should be a threat. Half a length behind The Queen Grace last time was (11) ROYAL ACE and he can aim to match that here while (1) GALAXY POWER and the up in class (12) GEOSEON MAPUNG both have potential at this distance.

Selections

(4) Jejui Baram (10) The Queen Grace (1) Galaxy Power (11) Royal Ace

Next Best

12, 3

Fast Start

1, 4, 5, 10

Seoul Race 4: Class 6 (1200M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(1) GEUMBIRANG was a much-improved 2nd on what was his third outing on January 14th. He’s a slow starter but a strong finisher and while it is perhaps surprising he’s dropped back slightly in trip today, he can still win. (3) RAON SIRIUS hasn’t been too far away in each of his three outings to date and can go close here. He’s well drawn to get on the early lead and could go all the way. (5) FLYING JOY didn’t go well on debut over 1300M but was much improved when dropped back to the minimum on reappearance last month. Moon Se Young being on board for the first time will enhance his appeal among punters. (10) BARAM KING likewise showed signs of improvement in his second (more…)

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Racing returns to the Korean capital on Saturday with a big 12-race card at Seoul. The first race is at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. It’s going to be a mild day so come racing! Here are the previews:

It’s not quite Spring but we’re not far away now!

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old fillies only to begin with and exactly half of the field are racing for the very first time with the other half each having raced just the once or in one case, twice. It’s from that latter group where the top picks come from with both (3) BIG THUNDER and (10) RAON PRIMER having shown ability. Big Thunder has raced twice and while indifferent on debut, she ran well for 2nd on her reappearance on January 27th and will be favourite to win here. Raon Primer led for much of her debut on January 20th and while she’s drawn wider today, she can still get to the front and should be the main danger. With none of the others who have raced before having shown much we’ll look for the newcomers to fill out our tickets. Best looking in trials was (7) SUPER YEOWANG and she will be expected to be on the early speed too while (9) BRAVO ILSIN and (12) LEADER’S CAMP are others who ran well in their heats and may be considered.

Selections

(3) Big Thunder (10) Raon Primer (7) Super Yeowang (12) Leader’s Camp

Next Best

9, 2

Fast Start

4, 7, 10, 12

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

A maiden restricted to three-year-olds. (11) DREAM INDY hasn’t been especially well fancied in either of his two starts to date but he’s outperformed expectations both times with a 3rd and a 2nd, the latest being a front-running performance over this distance on January 21st. He led for much of that race only succumbing in the closing stages and while he’s drawn much wider today, he can go close. (3) WILD DRAGON may have a better shout of getting on the early pace though. He’s also shown improvement across three outings and was a close 3rd last time at the distance. (5) GARA GARA GA was a creditable 4th on debut a full eleven weeks ago and returns here up in distance but for a stable and a jockey who went into the brief Lunar New Year break in good form. (7) EMERALD KING and (8) BAEKDUUI JEONGSANG, the latter a good 3rd in a similar race at the distance three weeks ago are also in the hunt.

Selections

(11) Dream Indy (3) Wild Dragon (7) Emerald King (5) Gara Gara Ga

Next Best

8, 6

Fast Start

3, 4

Race 3: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Fillies (and three mares) only here and (4) MIRACLE HANSEN caught the eye, to say the least, when romping home on debut over this distance on December 23rd in a decent time on a very slow-running track. She hasn’t raced since and returns today up in class but with little reason to oppose her. However, if we do wish to take her on, (9) VICTORY STAR looks the best prospect. She’s yet to win in four attempts but ran well for 2nd in a similar race to this on January 14th and can at least repeat. An alternative would be the more experienced (10) DALDARI although her best two results – her win and her 2nd place last start – both came at 1000M. (2) DONGSEO GADEUK is a winner at the distance, albeit at class 6 – (1) BAEKDU MIR was a close 2nd that day – and may come under consideration too.

Selections

(4) Miracle Hansen (9) Victory Star (10) Daldari (2) Dongseo Gadeuk

Next Best

1, 7

Fast Start

3, 4, 8, 9

Race 4: Class 4 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 60 Million

Fillies again but a more competitive looking contest which could go a number of ways. (3) SMARTY ZIF was a surprise 2nd in a useful event at class and distance on January 14th. She’s been inconsistent across her ten starts but could go well again. Running a touch disappointingly in that race was (4) WAWA YEOJANGBU but she has shown her competitiveness at this level with a 2nd place at the distance the time before and can reverse the form here. (2) CHEON YANG and (9) FIRE FOX came home 2nd and 3rd over (more…)

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We’re back after the extended Lunar New Year break and accordingly it’s big fields at Busan as the weekend’s racing gets underway on Friday. 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

Busan is back!

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Three-year-old fillies to kick things off with today and a competitive contest too. (3) CHEOLBI and (4) STAR WOMAN are the ones who come in with convincing form behind them. Cheolbi’s 2nd last time was at this distance while Star Woman’s 3rd was at 1000M but in perhaps marginally stronger company. Both should be involved today with Star Woman likely to try to lead from the gate. The one they will need to overcome will also be on speed early and that’s (10) SWEET PARK. Having won a trial in December, she was well-backed on debut last month and while she only managed to finish 3rd, she should have come on for that and can be strongly in the frame here. (7) JANGSEONGUI JILJU and first-timer starter (11) MYEONG GONGJU are others to consider.

Selections

(10) Sweet Park (3) Cheolbi (4) Star Woman (7) Jangseongui Jilju

Next Best

11, 12

Fast Start

1, 4, 10, 12

Race 2: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(2) GREAT ROCK is Triple Nine’s full-brother (one of many and they’ve all been pretty good). He’s come up a little short in two starts so far with a 4th and a 2nd before having to be scratched with a minor abrasion prior to what would have been his latest on February 2nd. From a favourable draw today, we’ll be looking for him to get out and on pace early and to make it third time lucky. There are threats. (5) SAKISAKI has shown promise in back to back 3rd place finishes. She raced most ungenerously last time hanging outwards for much of the way around but still got into the money and with better manners this time can get even closer. (8) CHEONHA GAMDONG and (10) BAENGNYEON DAERO both ran 3rd on their respective debuts last month and can continue their positive starts here while (7) BIG RED IJI has shown signs of figuring things out with consecutive 4th place finishes in decent enough races for this level.

Selections

(2) Great Rock (5) Sakisaki (10) Baengnyeon Daero (7) Big Red Iji

Next Best

8, 3

Fast Start

2, 3

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Competitive looking contest here and there are a couple who look ready to win. Both (1) SEORABEOL YEOJE and (3) DANCING VICAR come in having gone close in recent starts and with champion jockey Jo In Kwen taking the mount for the first time, we’ll side with the more experienced Seorabeol Yeoje to make the breakthrough ahead of Dancing Vicar, who is racing at this distance for the first time. (5) PEACE TOUR was 4th, a length behind Seorabeol Yeoje, last start and can get close while (7) DAEHO MYEONGGA has hinted at having some talent and returns from a nine-week layoff. He went through two trials earlier this month and looked decent enough to compete here. An intriguing first-time starter is (10) JAZZ BAND. He’s a full-brother to 2013 Grand Prix Stakes winner Indie Band and 2015 Minister’s Cup winner Rock Band. It’s taken him to four-years-old to make his debut and he wasn’t exactly impressive in trials but there’s no doubting his pedigree.

Selections

(1) Seorabeol Yeoje (3) Dancing Vicar (5) Peace Tour (10) Jazz Band

Next Best

7, 2, 6

Fast Start

1, 3, 7

Race 4: Class 6 (1600M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

After a couple of indifferent performances in his first two outings, (12) MABEOPUI JILJU thrived when sent up to this distance for the first time on January 26th, running a close 2nd to the very promising Air Blade and it would be a surprise were Bart Rice’s gelding not to go one better here. Running 3rd that day was the one-paced but honest (5) BULMYEORUIMARIPGAN and he can pass plenty late on to possibly finish on the board once more, however, the main danger is likely to be (8) CHOEGANG STEALTH. Like the favourite, he too was beaten by Air Blade on his latest start, back on New Year’s Eve, when he was 3rd over 1300M. He’s shown ability at this distance in the past and can get (more…)

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Silver Wolf was the dominant filly or mare of 2017, sweeping all three legs of the Queens’ Tour and she got her six-year-old win underway in the best possible fashion with a dominant win in the Donga Ilbo Cup. In doing so, it gave Djordje Perovic a Listed winner on the Serbian jockey’s last day at Seoul before leaving on an extended sabbatical to recover from a back injury.

It was always going to be a mismatch. Just eight fillies and mares opted to take her on over the 1800M, a mix of slightly faded talents and not quite up there prospects. Perovic brought Silver Wolf to the lead at the top of the stretch and the pair eased away from the field for an easy nine-length victory. 43/1 outsider Lead Money came home 2nd with 38/1 Chang Se in 3rd.

Australian-bred SIlver Wolf (Orotorio) has now won 10 of her 21 career starts, three of them Graded Stakes races (the Queens’ Tour last year) and now two Listed (adding to the Munhwa Ilbo Cup last autumn). It was only as a five-year-old last year that she really showed her ability and while she is now too old to run in the Queens’ Tour races, she will surely be a danger in other big races, especially at sprint distances.

As for the other “wolf”, Djordje Perovic; known as “The Balkan Wolf” has been suffering from a back injury for some time and the constant grind that goes with being a top freelance jockey in Korea makes recovery very difficult. While it’s true there are only two race days each week, a freelancer is expected to ride an awful lot of track-work six days a week if he wishes to ride in the races – din’t ride the work and you don’t ride the race. It’s the same for the top local jockeys with Moon Se Young speaking last year about how it is increasingly hard to do.

Moon Se Young (left) & Djordje Perovic embrace after the last at Seoul on Sunday

Perovic would go on to ride the final two winners on the card too, finishing off with Choegang Schiller (Artie Schiller) beating Another Smart One (Smarty Jones) in the class 1 finale. Moon Se Young was on the runner-up and the pair shook hands after the line. Their rivalry over the past three years has brought another aspect to racing at Seoul and with any luck, it will be renewed when Perovic returns which, if all goes well, could be around Korea Cup time.

Silver Wolf was last year’s Champion Mare and she returns to action at Seoul Racecourse on Sunday when she is expected to start a strong favourite in the Donga Ilbo Cup over 1800M. She will be ridden by Djordje Perovic, making his last appearance at Seoul for at least the time being as he seeks to recover from a back injury. There are 11 races at Seoul from 10:45 to 18:00 and 6 at Busan from 12:40 to 17:05. Here are the previews (only Seoul is on overseas simulcast this week):

Djordje Perovic & Silver Wolf will attempt to win the Donga Ilbo Cup on the Serbian jockey’s last day at Seoul (Pic: KRA)

Race 1: Class 5 (1000M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

A winner at class 6 over 1300M in December, (7) LEONNING STROM was 3rd on his first try at this level in a stiffer contest than this on January 13th having led for most of the race. He drops back to the minimum today and will be expected to win. (9) SUN BOLT was an all the way winner on debut on January 7th. He’s up in class here but if he gets off to the same kind of start he did that day, then he has a big chance. (2) MYEONGPUM BOBAE remains winless but steps back to the minimum today having weakened in both her latest two over further and she should be close. Back on Myeongpum Bobae’s debut, she was 2nd to (6) LUCKY MISS. The latter has only raced once since – a full thirteen weeks ago – and is worthy of another chance. (10) MAGIC AI returns to action for the first time in nine months and performed pleasingly enough in a January trial to come straight into placing contention.

Selections

(7) Leonning Strom (9) Sun Bolt (2) Myeongpum Bobae (10) Magic Ai

Next Best

6, 12

Fast Start

2, 5, 6, 9

Race 2: Class 5 (1300M) Handicap / KRW 40 Million

Both (6) KWAEHAN YEBONGSAN and (10) AMARONE are up in class having registered their maiden wins, both at this distance, on their respective last starts. This all-filly/mare contest is not a strong one and both can be expected to go well with Amarone slightly favoured to prevail. She’ll likely try to come from just behind the early speed which will probably be set by Kwaehan Yebongsa. Form doesn’t read well for the rest of them so we’re looking for one who finds herself in a better spot today than in recent outings. Punters will turn to (11) CHUKBOGUI YEOLMAE who comes in following a series of 4th and 5th place finishes in slightly sterner company and can benefit from the services of Moon Se Young today. (1) ARABIA GONGJU and (7) JASEONG GUNJU are others who fit the criteria for improvement here.

(2) DUAL CHOEGANG makes his first start for Italian trainer Luigi Riccardi and it could very well be a winning one. The four-year-old had been getting closer culminating in a 2nd place, just beaten a neck, at the distance in December. That wasn’t a very strong race, but this isn’t much stiffer, and he should win. (11) JEJUI HEUKSEON was sent off as favourite in a similar contest to this back on January 14th. He briefly touched the front about a furlong out before being beaten into 4th and he may well provide the biggest test today. We’re struggling with the rest though. (3) LAST CONCERT has a 5th place finish to her name in similar company in December and while she hardly impressed on return last month, she could go well here. (6) VALLEY MOON and (12) BAEKDU POWER best of a limited rest.

Three of these raced each other at class and distance on January 13th. (2) BOLD SHINING finished the best of them in 2nd with (1) BACK TO BACK in 4th (the pair of them split by Leonning Strom who we saw in race 1) and (4) HAENGUN NURI 5th. Back To Back began the race as favourite on the strength od a very solid December win over 1200M that got him promoted in class although Bold Shining also entered a winner. We’re going to go for the form to be overturned today and for Back To Back to be on top. (3) MACHA BUCHA comes in following a useful 4th place over 1300M two weeks ago and will likely set the (more…)

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There are 12 Saturday races in Seoul with the first at 10:45 and the last at 18:00. Here are the previews:

Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

A maiden for three-year-olds to begin with and there is an interesting first-time starter in the shape of (1) JILPUNG GANGJA. Progeny of a sire and dam who both ran in Korea so he was never going to be a sales-topper but his half-brother performed well in three starts and he certainly looked good himself when easily winning a trial last month. The track was very slow that day and we’ll not read too much into it but he showed enough to suggest he can be taken seriously here. It may be best to side with experience though and (9) J.S. STORM (whose sire and dam also both ran in Korea) comes in off a 2nd and 3rd from his latest two and surely goes close again. (8) SEOUL STORY parted company with his jockey on leaving the gates when well-fancied two weeks ago and will be backed again while (4) GIGA LIGHT and (10) ACE CANT are others who can improve.

Selections

(9) J.S. Storm (1) Jilpung Gangja (8) Seoul Story (4) Giga Light

Next Best

10, 6, 7

Fast Start

1, 5, 8, 9

Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

Another set of three-year-olds here and not much experience between them. A few have already caught the eye though. (6) CAMP TOUCH came close to winning over the distance on what was her second start a month ago, just being beaten a nose having been on pace throughout and with a good start, she can go close once more. Also expected to be away well is (4) VICAR SCOOP, a solid 3rd on debut a month ago and likely to improve. (9) JEONGSANG MUJEOK has been 3rd on both her two starts so far and there is no reason why she can’t repeat. The name suggests we might want to take a watching brief with (1) WAIT AND SEE, but he looked good in a trial and Moon Se Young riding will tempt plenty.

Selections

(6) Camp Touch (4) Vicar Scoop (1) Wait And See (9) Jeongsang Mujeok

Next Best

8, 7

Fast Start

1, 4, 6, 7

Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

(12) GANGTOMA was a good 2nd on debut on January 13th. He ran on well and the step up in trip today should suit. (4) SPECIAL WINNER beat (3) DORAON ACHIM HAE and (7) SHARK DAEJANGGEUN at the distance in early January before going on to run 3rd in a similar contest three weeks ago. All three should be in the hunt here with Doran Achim Hae most favoured for improvement. (2) BODEURAM and (9) KING POSE have both shown glimpses of talent and may improve today.

Selections

(12) Gangtoma (3) Doran Achim Hae (4) Special Winner (2) Bodeuram

Next Best

9, 7

Fast Start

1, 3, 4, 11

Race 4: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

(3) DUSON WANGJA came up short when favourite at this distance three weeks ago, ending up in 4th place having failed to quicken when well placed. It wasn’t a bad run though and he’s shown enough ability over his four starts to date to be given another chance here. (1) NAEGA KKEUTPANWANG and (8) STRONG CAPTAIN ran 3rd and 6th respectively when they raced each other over the distance on January 14th and the former especially looks nicely in for at least a repeat. (2) CITY ANGEL steps up in trip for (more…)

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It’s Friday February 9, 2018 and the eyes of the world are on Korea as one of the greatest sporting events on the planet gets underway. Yes, it’s Friday racing at Busan! 11 races from 11:30 to 18:00. Here are the previews:

The flame that jockey Park Tae Jong carried last month has almost reached its destination

Busan Race 1: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Very tricky maiden to kick things off with plenty who’ve shown glimpses of promise but haven’t yet delivered. There was almost a year between (12) STORM GOLD’s third and fourth starts but he returned two weeks ago to run a good 4th at this distance. He was drawn wide that day too and if he can get a good start, can go close. (4) SAEROUN BARAM has been 4th in both his two outings. While he hasn’t been the quickest out of the gates, he’s run on well both times and can continue to improve here. Continuing the theme of coming home 4th in latest outings is the trio of (2) SAEROUN BOMUL, (6) EDGE OF WINNER and (8) GRACIELA with the latter of them impressing the most last time.

Selections

(4) Saeroun Baram (12) Storm Gold (8) Graciela (2) Saeroun Bomul

Next Best

6, 1

Fast Start

2, 9, 12

Busan Race 2: Class 6 (1000M) Allowance / KRW 40 Million

A maiden restricted to three-year-old fillies. We’ve got a potentially exciting debut-maker among them too with (11) S S YOUNG set to be favourite having coasted through a January trial looking very competent. She’s a half-sister to Hangang Ruby, who won five of twelve starts a few years back and while nether he, nor the dam’s other foals, had especially long careers they began well, and S S Young can too. All the others have raced at least once before with (10) GRAY STORM coming in off consecutive 3rd place finishes and looking good to at least repeat. (6) BAEKDU MYEONGWOL was a creditable 5th on debut three weeks ago and can build on that here while (3) NEVER LAND and (7) TOP EURO should also be in the frame. The latter of those stepped up to 1300M last time and struggled but should be happier today.

Selections

(11) S S Young (10) Gray Storm (6) Baekdu Myeongwol (3) Never Land

Next Best

7, 12, 4

Fast Start

4, 7, 8, 11

Busan Race 3: Class 6 (1300M) Allowance / KRW 24 Million

Five of the twelve raced each other over this distance on January 12th with the best of them being (2) FAST AWAY, who finished 2nd a full five lengths clear of the rest. He seems to have started to figure things out in his latest three and should indeed be fast away here on to the early pace and can go all the way. (6) HEUGSEOL GONGJU was the one who was 3rd that day, finishing in that position for the second time in five outings and she can place once more. (11) WONDERFUL MEMORY’s two starts so far have been in stiffer company than this and he will be expected to improve. (8) TESTA MAGIC went reasonably well over a mile last time and comes in fresh after nine weeks off with chances to improve. (12) ACE FORCE also drops back in trip following a solid 4th at a mile just two weeks ago. He’s expected to be on speed early and can compete.

The last of the maidens is for three-year-olds only so sees some boosted prize money. None of them have raced more than four times and quite a few of them have shown some potential. (4) TIME SPEC came home 3rd, several lengths behind a pair of good ones on what was his second start on January 5th. It was at this distance and he got away well that day With a similarly good start today, he’ll have a solid chance. (9) YONGGU and (7) SEOLGWANGHWA finished 4th and 5th at the distance three weeks ago and the former especially will be fancied to match of better that today. Then there are the ones stepping up to the distance for the first time. (5) CHEONNYEONUI BADA was a decent 5th on debut at 1000M a month ago and will be expected to get a first start again here while (10) VIP (more…)